The Games Machine's Scores

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For 2,656 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 71% higher than the average critic
  • 7% same as the average critic
  • 22% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 4.3 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Game review score: 79
Highest review score: 99 Baldur's Gate 3
Lowest review score: 30 Dino Dini's Kick Off Revival
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,064 out of 2656
  2. Mixed: 569 out of 2656
  3. Negative: 23 out of 2656
2658 game reviews
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    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ninja Gaiden 4
    Ninja Gaiden 4 is a powerful return, imperfect but full of character, capable of making us forget the years of silence with a combat system that borders on perfection in its fluidity and ferocity. The union between Team NINJA and PlatinumGames works: the action is brutal, visceral, and visually stunning, with an artistic direction that transforms Tokyo and its nightmares into a kabuki theater of soft lighting and blood. A clear limitation is the linearity of the maps and the repetition of enemies and bosses, which end up diluting the pace, making the second half of the adventure more tiring than exciting. Ninja Gaiden 4 has plenty of character and confirms itself as an aesthetically captivating game, but incapable of maintaining the tension it promises in its best moments. A convincing new beginning, even if it's not yet the masterpiece fans have been waiting too long for.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Lamplighters League
    Characteristic, original and engaging, The Lamplighters League is a small pearl that offers an interesting and engaging story, also strengthened by a very valid game design.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Song of Horror
    Song of Horror doesn't hide its sources of inspiration, the milestones of the survival horror genre. It finds some elegant ways to pay them homage, sometimes succeeding very well, especially with the creepy atmosphere and music, some other times slipping clumsily (like in the case of some of the puzzle design, way too cryptic).
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Fuga: Melodies of Steel
    Fuga: Melodies of Steel is a role-playing game focused on storytelling and combat, cutting out usually fundamental elements like exploration: an atypical but successful recipe, drawing strength from a cast of young heroes that are impossible not to love.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Elder Scrolls: Legends
    It's almost impossible, for a CCG, to find its place in such a saturated market, but Bethesda plays its cards right (pun intended), with some new and interesting game mechanics. Give it a try (it's free): you may find yourself intrigued.
    • 65 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Phantom Fury
    Phantom Fury is a classic FPS that manages to engage and entertain. It is a simple but well-finished evolution of its predecessor, to whom it owes a lot and which can still be an excellent yardstick in the panorama of boomer shooters. The new production, while not shining for originality, knows how to be a remarkable follow-up.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Styx: Shards of Darkness
    Shards of Darkness could have been an amazing stealth game, thanks to a witty and cynical main character, wonderful level design and a myriad of skills and perks. Unfortunately, the experience is partially ruined by a sub-par AI and some flaws in the control system.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    while True: learn()
    While True: learn() is a nice puzzle game that manages to be both funny and educational.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    The Escapists 2
    The Escapists 2 improves on basically everything good the original game (released in 2015) had to offer. The mission system is complex and detailed, the combat system is pretty friendly and the quests alone are well designed and fun to play, whether you’re alone or with some friends in multiplayer.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    RIDE 6
    Ride 6 is a lovely simcade that builds on its predecessors thanks to some new features that won’t revolutionise the franchise. The good news is that the riding bit is as exciting as ever.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Sega Genesis Classics
    Despite the lack of some great titles and a technically forgettable multiplayer, SEGA Mega Drive Classics is a good collection that offers dozens of hours in old-style fun.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Culdcept Revolt
    A crazy mix between Monopoly and Magic The Gathering, Culdcept Revolt is an amazing and addictive game, though you must be prepared to very, very long and slow gaming sessions which badly fit an handheld device.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Hero's Hour
    Hero's Hour mixes RPG, roguelike, real time strategy and auto battler elements in one convincing bundle, portrayed with a nice use of pixel art and an impressive number of units on screen. The gameplay loop, however, tends to be a bit repetitive and the lack of a single-player campaign doesn’t help. Still worth it for its price, though.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    NHL 22
    NHL 22’s gameplay is substantially unchanged from its predecessors. The Frostbite engine brings a breath of fresh air to the graphics, but the gaming experience does not differ dramatically from what has been seen in the past. The result is a fun and full of game modes title, which however would need an update in the game mechanics to be able to take it one step further.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Insidia
    Insidia is a bold title, with some neat ideas, a nice art direction and a great, deep gameplay. The only complaint, at the moment, is the shortage of content, but hopefully that will change in the future. A real free-to-play, without tricks, with a huge potential for growth.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Persona 4 Arena Ultimax
    Persona 4 Arena Ultimax is a somewhat lazy adaptation, but luckily the original was already a great game. That's why this re-release is highly recommended for fighting game fanatics who missed it in 2013, but veterans should know that they won't find enough new content to justify a new purchase, at least until Rollback is implemented.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    DOOM
    We swear on our double chainsaw that we'd have loved to give DOOM on Switch a higher score: the game is the one we already loved in every possible version ever released, brutal and crazy, but the technical compromises are significant, and cannot be put aside. If Switch is your only game console, this is a must buy; if you own another gaming platform, you'll find a better experience there.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse
    Despite an intense backtracking and a large use of old assets, Shin Megami Tensei IV: Apocalypse is a good game, imbued with the epic spirit of the series. Beware the cryptic story, if you have not played the previous episodes.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Night Call
    Night Call is thriller on the importance of verbal confrontation, adapting to one's interlocutor, creating fluid dialogues without necessarily complying with all their thoughts. A visual novel that is so classic, even predictable in its police nuance, but brilliant in the micro-situations we will experience in every journey.
    • 74 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    God Wars: Future Past
    Despite God Wars Future Past looks technically out of time and its plot isn't particularly interesting, is a very good turn-based tactical game that fits perfectly on PS Vita rather than on PS4.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    The Mummy Demastered
    Despite some questionable design choices, The Mummy Demastered is a fun game, imbued with good exploration and action moments, in perfect metroidvania dress.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Exit Limbo: Opening
    Exit Limbo: Opening is a violent, charismatic and gore-ish beat ‘em up which is not only a videogame, but also an heavy metal band. Just what you need to kiss any pent-up sense of frustration goodbye, for example after a tough day at work or, even worse, of domestic captivity during the lockdown. Immersing yourself in its bloody ultraviolence is somehow liberating and it does not matter if proceeding, at first, will be tough: once you get the hang of the complex control system and the wide range of moves available, dismembering all the enemies will be really fun.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Kirby's Extra Epic Yarn
    It's a bit paradoxical to think that the weakest point of a remake are the newest features, but that’s the case with Kirby’s Extra Epic Yarn: the new abilities break that perfect balance of the original game. Fortunately, that game is still there and if you want you can appreciate it exactly as it was conceived.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Trackmania 2 Lagoon
    The Trackmania formula is still a winner, but this is definitely not the best offering around: at the same price, you could play the much better Trackmania 2 Canyon or, if you're looking for the whole experience, the complete collection (at double the price) will give you everything.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    NBA 2K21
    Gameplay wise, NBA 2K21 is once again an excellent product, and the best hoops videogame on the market (also due to lack of competition). While very similar to its predecessor, it is also evolved and revised. However, being a 2K title, microtransactions are inescapable.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands
    Grand Mountain Adventure: Wonderlands is an elegant indie game perfect for anyone who loves winter sports and the mountain as a lifestyle. The camera doesn't always help to stay zen, those who want intense gameplay will be disappointed, but if you need a holiday on the snow this is the right game.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    PlayerUnknown's Battlegrounds
    It may be late and it may not be the best looking game of the year, but PUGB is still an enjoyable battle royale, that enriches the PS4 catalogue.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Hot Wheels Unleashed 2: Turbocharged
    Hot Wheels Unleashed 2 - Turbocharged is what they say is a classic sequel: it enriches and expands the legacy of its predecessor by adding novelties to a consolidated game frame, without ever daring to dig deep or dare in terms of originality. Those who appreciated the first one and its gameplay will surely know how to enjoy every moment behind the wheel of the new Hot Wheels video game.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    One Last Breath
    One Last Breath is a puzzle platformer with a very good narrative idea and a satisfying realization. Unfortunately the puzzles are very banal and some maps are made with very little care.
    • tbd Metascore
    • 79 Critic Score
    Bear With Me
    Bear With Me is a nice, old-style point and click adventure, with logical and well designed puzzles, although not too challenging, and a story that blends humour and drama. Not a milestone in the genre, but adventure fans should give it a chance.
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